David Pierce

David R. Pierce was a man of strong character, a loving, dependable father, grandfather, brother and friend. He knew how to put others at ease and was more than willing to help where he saw a need. His personality won him many friends and he was always ready to contribute a funny joke or show off some dance moves to enliven a gathering. David will be remembered not for the things he did, but for the reason he did them. His presence in the world will be greatly missed, but the memories he created with his family and friends will always be remembered. 1944 was a historically important year for people in the United States as well as abroad. As Franklin D. Roosevelt entered his second term as President, the Battle of the Bulge began as Germans penetrated the Allied front in Belgium. While the war continued to be waged abroad, life for John and Dora (Cramer) Pierce was much simpler in Muskegon, Michigan. While John earned a living as a truck driver, Dora was a busy homemaker, and in the spring of 1944, it was about to get even busier. Dora had brought Cecil and Francis into their happy family, and Dora and John were proud parents of John. On April 21, 1944, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, David Richard. In time, he and his brothers were joined by five younger siblings: Janettia, Juanita, and Christopher. Anthony and Cynthia Bromley would join later, rounding out the busy household with 9 children. David enjoyed a typical childhood growing up in East Muskegon. He attended Jibson School and Wolf Lake Junior High, and spent much of his leisure time fishing and reading. Already at a young age, David was a voracious reader, a passion he enjoyed all his life and happily passed on to his children and grandchildren. During his high school years at Ravenna High, David enjoyed the camaraderie of many good friends, including Walter Gray, Neil Collins, Faye Collins, Art Snook and George McGuther. In 1960, David left school to follow the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War, and after the war, he earned his GED through the military. In later years, David furthered his education by attending Muskegon Community College, receiving an Associates Degree in computers. David received his honorable discharge in 1964. Shortly after returning home to Muskegon, he was introduced to Sandy Smith through a friend, and it wasnt long before wedding bells were ringing as they were married in 1965. It wasnt just the two of them for long though as their daughter, Doreen, was born in December of that same year. In 1967, the couple was blessed with a son, John, who heartbreakingly died as an infant from a heart disease. Unfortunately David and Sandys marriage did not survive and they divorced. For a time after, David started building a relationship with Linda, and they had a son together named Steven in 1969. This relationship too did not last. As time heals all wounds, David found love again when he met Victoria Seaberg Parker, and they were married in 1970. Vicki brought more than just her love into Davids life though as she had a 5 year old son of her own; David welcomed little Henry into their family, and loved him as his own. It wasnt long before David and Vicki added on to their family as they welcomed their daughters, Heather (1970), Jennifer (1971) and Tricia (1974). The couple raised their children together in Muskegon, where David worked in construction as a tank liner. He built gas stations literally from the ground up, installing the tanks and ultimately getting them filled. Even though David worked hard to support his family, he found time to have fun together too. David loved to take his kids fishing and swimming at Pier Marquette in the summer, and sledding in the parks in the winter. Every Fourth of July, he put together a grand fireworks show, which everyone loved. Some of the familys favorite memories were made on a vacation they took in the summer of 1981 to California. It was said it was like a Lampoon vacation with lots of unexpected adventures and great laughs. For David, family was the greatest source of happiness in his life, and he looked forward to every birthday, wedding, Christmas, reunion or any occasion get togethers they had. He had many wonderful friends in his life too that were like family to him, which included Shirley and Ron Spicer, Donald Bayne, Sr., Cal Northrup, Cecil and Ruthanne Remmington and David Wilcoxsin, to name a few. David retired in 2004, and began to enjoy some rest and relaxation. He certainly had a plethora of interests and hobbies to keep him busy, his favorite, of course, was reading as many books as he could get his hands on. He also enjoyed watching western movies and debating history with others. David still loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping whenever possible. His greatest love was spending time with his children and grandchildren just having a good time together. David not only encouraged his grandkids to love reading (like he did), but also taught them how to drive and work on cars; though David had his cars stored in everybodys yards. He was known to tell naughty jokes, giving everyone a good laugh, and he loved to dance with his grandkids (perhaps showing them that Grandpa still has his groove on). Over the years, David had several dogs and cats around the house, and in the summer of 2010, he bought his grandkids a miniature horse named Patches. Absolutely without a doubt David gave the best hugs ever. He is truly leaving behind a legacy of love! David Richard Pierce of Muskegon, MI, age 68, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2012. He is survived by his children: Henry (Lynne) Parker of NC, Doreen (Shawn) Brunais of New Era, Heather (Dan) Wiegand of Fruitport, Jennifer (Mark) Heiney of Grant, Tricia (Jim) Barnes of Spring Lake; grandchildren: Adam, Derek, Chelsea, Chance, Heather Renae, Victoria, James, Joshua, Jacob, Jared, Jadon, David, Garrett; great grandchild, Abigail Grace; 6 loving siblings; daughter-in-law, Jinda Olejarczyk. He was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria, and sons, John Pierce & Steven Olejarczk. Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, July 19, at 12:00 noon at the Ravenna Conservation Club. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice Poppen House or Veterans of America. Please visit Davids personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you may share a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon